I enjoy planning events. I do it as part of my job, so it is not foreign to me and to be honest I am doing the lion’s share of planning our wedding, which is perfectly fine by me.
But over the summer when we were scoping out reception halls we ran into Kate from Lovewell Celebration Designs (www.lovewelldesign.com). We recognized her from some local musical productions. We chatted for a little bit about what she does and it was always in the back of our mind to make contact with her. But since we are on a budget we thought that we should just plan it all ourselves and that a wedding planner was an unneeded expense. So we went on our way stumbling through the wedding planning process.
Then I came across her card and thought I should make contact with her. I read a number of posts on this blog that talked about having a wedding planner and I thought that we should at least look into it. So we met with her on the first warm Saturday of the spring at Panera Bread and chatted through our progress. What became clear was how much we really did need her! Even though most of the major planning is done, we need help with the design of the wedding.
While I would consider myself decent at designing an event, I simply do not have the mind nor expertise for this type of affair. Her ideas were fresh, on point and right in line for what we are looking for. One of the first things she said to us, which totally opened my eyes, was “There are two types of weddings, ones that are strictly for the couple and ones that the couple wants to get published” I never thought about it like that, but it really made me think about the style of the wedding and the details that become important with regard to our overall story. Since I am writing for the blog I clearly want our day to give a certain impression. With that framework in mind I think it will help us work through the various details.
Another thing that is great about working with her is the different ways we can use her and thusly fit her into our modest budget. Our location is unique, that is why we love it, but it also presents unique challenges. This is where Dave and I are struggling to conceptualize the flow of the wedding and where I think she will be of most help. And, ahem, lesbians and straight boys, she is also not bad to look at, either!
So now I am thinking we definitely could use her, if only to bounce ideas off of and play couple’s referee! Who out there used a wedding planner, to either plan their wedding or used as a consultant? Was it worth it? For those that are planning a wedding, what do you think about using a wedding planner?
(On a side note anyone see Shortbus? I loved this movie, even though it is pretty racy, and am in love with the music, presently listening to “In The End” performed by the writer, Scott Matthew. Justin Bond, who sings it in the movie, does an amazing version too! All while enjoying my Sunday donut and french pressed coffee, the latter pictured below. Dave is behind the curtain watching a horror movie….I don’t like them, they scare me!)
Oh, got time for a poem, well then, read on!
This and that
Those things that make us happy
Those things that make us sad
We live within the wind
Teetering this way and that
Crowds release their venomous stomp
Crawling further and forward
On streets unforgiving
Beyond and beholden to no one
But between the trees
Underneath the sun
There is a peace, a calm
Bring me all that can be
Place upon me your kisses
Bring me all the things
Near or far
Here or there
Pretty, pretty day
Leave me here
To love, lose, to hurt
Please, pretty pretty day
Stay with me
Hold me like you do
Bring me all that can be
Place upon me your kisses
Bring me all the things
Near or far
Here or there
Then again, here I am
Walking faster, farther
Between these houses, lined and lined
I create my own time
It is what I am
Or I am what it is
Simplicity of space and mind is the goal
But the journey, complicated
Filled with missteps
Contradictions and contractions
So we haggle about
Hoping to get the best price
For something we probably don’t need
Wanting to win the moment
Needing to satisfy today
But between the trees
Underneath the sun
There is a peace, a calm
Bring me all that can be
Place upon me your kisses
Bring me all the things
Near or far
Here or there
Pretty, pretty day
Leave me here
To love, lose, to hurt
Please, pretty pretty day
Stay with me
Hold me like you do
Coffee pressed, strong
Sitting, legs crossed
A blur of people and a day
Pass me by
Without much notice
Without much mind
And this pretty day
Oh this pretty, pretty day
If you aren’t super detail oriented then I say hire a planner! You at least want someone as your go-to person on the day of. Do it if you have the money and you like her.
Thanks…that is the conculsion we came to, and we can fit in our budget so we decided to use her.
As an event designer and planner – I think there is a very important distinction between Event designers and Event Planners. Though, I personally serve both functions because of my art and business management backgrounds, not all clients hire me for full service. Sounds like you are looking for a Event designer who will work on the look and ‘feel’ of your wedding and help with all those special innovative details that will make your wedding memorable and ‘look’ fabulous.
Event planners usually specialize in the management and logistics of your event – vendor management, rehearsals, budget and timelines etc. There is value in both of these professionals and the necessity certainly depends on you. If you’re a pretty creative person and have wonderful ideas on how you want it to look and are able to materialize your concepts, perhaps what you need is a logistics person to make sure everything runs smoothly and on budget.
Think architect and contractor. They usually work as a team, and have many overlapping skills – but are not the same.
Thanks, great advice. She does both, and I am better at getting things done than at design, which is what we will use her for. I like the way you made the distinction here, there are really two differnt ways of looking at it.
I would add to the above that there is also a distinction between a wedding planner and a day of coordinator. So you may not need a wedding planner to help you with the design and/or vendors but you may not want to worry about the set up of the decor or dealing with vendors on the day of your wedding. Unless you are planning to get help on the day of from any friend or family member you don’t want to worry about anything on your special day. Just enjoy the day. Day of coordinator’s fees are cheaper than those from wedding planners.
We are having a wedding planner for other reasons, otherwise I would have got only a day of coordinator. We are getting married in another country so it is difficult to do long distance planning.
Have fun with the planning!
J&J: Thanks, it is good to note the distinction here. We have a day-of person by way of the hotel, she the consultant will help us get there. Kate has been great so far…can’t wait to get going on more projects!